If an electromagnetic wave has a frequency of 8 ⋅ 10^14 H z , what is its wavelength? Use λ=V/F. The speed of light is 3 ⋅ 10^8 m/s.

Answer 1

All electromagnetic waves move at the speed of light (3 x 10⁸ m/s). Thus, for any electromagnetic wave:

c = νλ

Thus, the wavelength, λ, is:

λ = c/ν

λ = (3 x 10⁸ m/s)/(8 x 10¹⁴ Hz) *Note: Hz = 1/s*

λ = 3.75 x 10^-7 m

but wavelength of an electromagnetic wave is usually given in nanometers, so:

λ = 3.75 x 10^-7 m x (1 nm/(1 x 10^-9 m))

λ = 375 nm